Joanna Kargul1
University of Warsaw1
Combining the highly active and stable natural photocatalysts with various electrode materials open an avenue for the selective production of target chemicals at ambient conditions using non-toxic and cost-effective biomaterials. Here, I present the rational bottom-up design of conductive bio-organic interfaces within the biomolecular systems based on the robust photoenzyme, photosystem I (PSI) that yields the significantly enhanced solar conversion efficiency and stability. The PSI biophotocatalyst is interfaced with various cost-efficient, transparent electrode materials in the orientation controlled manner for the generation of green electricity and fuel. The performance of such devices can be greatly improved by tailoring the structure of the organic molecular wires based on pyrene-nitrilotriacetic acid, terpyridine or diazonium salt ligands coordinated with various transition metals to ensure the generation of unidirectional electron transfer and minimisation of wasteful back reactions. Incorporating plasmonic nanoparticles in the bio-organic interface improves the light-harvesting, photocatalytic activity and long-term photostability of PSI. Such rational design paves the way for the generation of viable and sustainable technologies for solar energy conversion into fuel and other carbon-neutral chemicals.<br/><b>Acknowledgements:</b> Support from the Polish National Science Centre (Solar-driven chemistry 2 SUNCOCAT grant no. 2022/04/Y/ST4/00107) and the European Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme (SUNER-C CSA, GA no. 101058481) is greatly acknowledged.